Changes at London Colney

The Otter left for restoration to static, this has been in the press recently so not a secret.

Indeed and I respect your past involvement. An email has been sent so maybe a reply will be forthcoming.

Maybe, but that should be the decision of those that run it now.

I have an opinion on what is happening there, but having not been a part of the management team for nearly five years, it would be quite wrong of me to profer it on here.

Bruce

In fairness it seems that the Rapide information is already out there as it was related to me by someone unconnected with the museum and this forum.
Past and I believe current volunteers at the museum partake of the forum -its no unreasonable for people to take an interest in events at the museum as it is essentially supported by entrance fees .
Maybe some publicity is better than none at all?

I dont think its fair to ask this question on a forum where none of the principals post.

When personnel change, very often policies change too. If I’m honest, some of the projects I acquired over the years that I was there would be challenging in the extreme, and take an inordinate amount of time to bring to fruition.

Far better to move them on to a better home.

Bruce

Over 12 months ago the British Antarctic Survey based in Cambridge were making calls regarding loaning out the Otter – IIRC at the time they were seeking under cover display space!

The Otter was the fuselage, wings and engine as recovered from Deception Island by the BAS. The Rapide belonged to the museum being part of an exchange that saw the Norwegian Be2 project leave probably twenty years ago.

I understood the Rapide was an airworthy restoration that didn’t actually belong to the museum. I wasn’t even aware that they had an Otter and certainly didn’t see it when I visited in June 2011 so it had either gone or was well hidden.

Having visited the DH Heritage Centre very recently it seems that far from contracting, the scope of the Museum is expanding. I believe that the remains of the Otter left the site ( where they were stored outside ) some time ago but certainly the Rapide was still there. From what I have been told, the focus is now on upgrading the buildings (several of which have suffered from wear and tear over many years) with the aim of getting as many of the significant airframes as possible under cover. Obviously it is a rather cramped site and the challenges are considerable, but it seems that the Museum is working hard toward a more ‘professional’ look for visitors in 2013.

The outlook for the Rapide is very favourable, and involves a short journey to a UK destination.

Not meaning to be all ‘secret squirrel’ but I am not sure the if the details are quite for general consumption just yet.

Haven’t been for a while – didn’t know they had an Otter!

The Rapide has been a very long-term project by a dedicated team – hope they are able to continue!